News

Fall is a busy time of year in publishing with many great titles releasing from mid-August through November and the beginning of the Holiday Season. We've compiled a list of titles in a variety of genres and catagories just for our community. Pre-ordering through our website is super easy and we'll hold the books for you at the store to save on shipping! Your next great rainy day read may be here to accompany the coming Hygge season, so break out your favorite mug and blanket and pour a cup of tea and cozy up to these great reads!

Literary Fiction

Killing Commendatore - Haruki Murakami 10/9
Unsheltered by Barbara Kingsolver - there will be a special indie bookstore edition of this book so be sure to pre-order! 10/16
Melmoth by Sara Perry 10/16
Washington Black by Esi Edugyan 9/18
Trinity by Louisa Hall 10/16
Transcription by Kate Atkinson 9/25
Ordinary People by Diane Evans 9/11
The Silence of Girls by Pat Barker 9/4
Vox by Christina Dalcher
Waiting for Eden by Elliot Ackerman 9/25
Whiskey When We're Dry by John Larison
French Exit by Patrick DeWitt
Friday Black by Nana Kwame Adejei-Brenyah 10/23
We Sold Our Souls by Grady Hendrix 9/18

Mystery/Thriller

Dark Sacred Night by Michael Connelly 10/30
Lethal White by Robert Galbraith 9/18
The Witch Elm by Tana  French 10/9
The Feral Detective by Jonathan Lethem 11/6

Science Fiction/Fantasy

Sisters of the Winter Wood by Rena Rossner 9/25
The Monster Baru Cormorant by Seth Dickinson 10/30
Bloody Rose by Nick Eames
A Conspiracy of Truths by Alexandra Rowland 10/23
Temper by Nicky Drayden
Empire of Sand by Tasha Suri 11/13
Exit Strategy by Martha Wells 10/2
Record of a Spaceborn Few by Becky Chambers

Children's Picture Books

King Alice by Matt Cordell 9/25
The Day You Begin by Jaqueline Woodson
Volcano Dreams by Janet Fox 9/25
Carmela Full of Wishes by Matt de la Pena 10/9
Dreamers by Yuyi Morales 9/4
Giraffe Problems by Jory Jons 9/25

Juvenile Fiction (ages 8-10)

Dactyl Hill Squad by Daniel Jose Older 9/11
Louisiana's Way Home by Kate DiCamillo 10/2
Harbor Me by Jaqueline Woodson
The Third Mushroom by Jennifer Holm 9/4
Rosie Revere and the Raucous Riveters by Andrea Beaty 10/2
Mascot by Antony John 9/11
The House With Chicken Legs by Sophie Anderson 9/25
The House in Poplar Wood by K.E. Ormsbee

Young Adult Fiction (ages 12+)

Bridge of Clay by Mark Zusak 10/9
What If It's Us by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera 10/9
Darius the Great is Not Okay by Adib Khorram
Seafire by Natalie C. Parker
The Light Between Worlds by Laura Weymouth 10/23
Rule by Ellen Goodlett 9/11
A Very Large Expanse of Sea by Tahereh Mafi 10/16
A Blade So Black by LL. McKinney 9/25
A Winter's Promise by Christelle Dabos 9/25
Mirage by Somaiya Daud
The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein by Kirsten White 9/25
The Ladies Guide to Petticoats and Piracy by Mackenzie Lee 10/2

Poetry
So Far So Good  by Ursula K LeGuin 10/2
My Own Devices by Dessa 9/18

Graphic Novels
Rat Queens Vol. 5 by Kurtis Weibe
Sheets by Brenna Thummler
Amulet Vol. 8 by Kazui Kibuishi 9/25
Monstress Vol. 3 by Marjorie Liu 9/11
Saga Vol. 9 by Brian K Vaughn 10/9
Abbott by Saladin Ahmed 10/30
Home After Dark by David Small 9/11

Memoir
Becoming by Michelle Obama 11/13
In Pieces by Sally Field 9/18
My Own Devices by Dessa 9/18

Science/Nature
Accessory to War by Neil deGrasse Tyson 9/11
The Dinosaur Artist by Paige Williams 9/11
In Search of the Canary Tree by Lauren Oakes 11/27
Brief Answers to Big Questions by Stephen Hawking 10/16
The Science of Science Fiction by Mark Brake 10/2
Reader, Come Home by Maryanne Wolf

History
How Do We Look? by Mary Beard 9/4
When Women Ruled the World by Kara Cooney 10/30
How to Behave Badly in Elizabethan England by Ruth Goodman 10/9
The Man from the Train by Bill Jones 9/19

Current Affairs
On the Other Side of Freedom by DeRay McKesson 9/4
21 lessons for the 21st Century by Yuval Harari 9/4
Rising Out of Hatred by Eli Saslow 9/18

More Exciting Titles
Daemon Voices by Phillip Pullman 9/18
Let's Go by Jeff Tweedy 11/13
Ottolenghi Simple by Yotam Ottolenghi 10/16
Almost Everything: Notes on Hope by Anne Lamott 10/16
Diary of a Bookseller by Shaun Bythell 9/4

Pre-order today with the buttons below!

Maggie S Review Fame, Fate and the First Kiss by Kasie West! Pre-order your copy today! Due out February 2019

Kasie West has done it again with her new novel Fame, Fate, and the First Kiss. She has created an intriguing and heartwarming world staring Lacey Barnes, an aspiring actress who has finally landed her first real job alongside the famous Grant James in Dancing Graves. And although this is her lifelong dream it is muddled by the addition of a tutor who fit's the exact definition of a choir boy. But as time goes on Donavon Lake, the detested "choir boy," slowly starts to grow on Lacey as he comforts her through the hardships of an overprotective father, someone trying to sabotage her, and her chemistry funk with her co-stars. And while this may seem like your everyday love story, you will soon learn that that is far from the truth when you take into account the zombie makeup and script additions throughout this artful story.

-Maggie S

Claire L has reviewed A Very Large Expanse of Sea by Tahereh Mafi. 

Shirin—a high schooler who practices Islam and wears a hijab—has moved schools once again. Her parents both had difficult lives growing up in Iran, so they have worked hard in America to give Shirin and her brother Navid a better childhood than they had. Shirin never had problems with other people until 9/11. But, Shirin learned to ignore everyone in order to protect herself. And, she plans on doing the same at this new school. To keep her school life interesting and more positive, Navid decides to start a breakdancing crew—a dream Shirin has shared with her brother forever.

I absolutely loved A Very Large Expanse of Sea. I am so impressed with Tahereh Mafi's writing because I would go from laughing out loud to crying in the matter of a few sentences. There was great dialogue; both charming, thoughtful, and difficult to read. But, the book felt balanced. Just when you would be getting really emotional over a hateful action that occurred, it would switch to something lighter (like a breakdancing moment). This book is powerful. It deals with prejudice and stereotypes towards religion and some of the impacts they can have on people. I have read books that made me sad, but this book really made me think and feel something. I felt empowered reading this book because Shirin is such a strong character (even though she had her worries). Because I enjoy Tahereh Mafi’s writing style, I suspected I would love this book. While A Very Large Expanse of Sea is a different genre from her Shatter Me series, it still features a strong female lead and Tahereh’s signature writing voice. I can definitely say that A Very Large Expanse of Sea is one of my new favorite books.

- Claire L

Zoe J review Firstlife by Gena Showalter.

Most YA heroes and heroines in adventure stories need only focus on keeping their one and only life. But in Tenley Lockwood’s world, everyone is guaranteed two chances. Before their first death, inhabitants of Earth, or “The Land of the Harvest,” must choose between two realms to spend their everlives. As a person can’t even decide on a future college or career, I can appreciate the amount of pressure such a decision would entail. This stress follows Ten throughout her story. And, if she dies without choosing a realm, she will end up in the terrifying “Many Ends.”

For Firstlife, Gena Showalter created a great concept that could have had better execution. At the beginning, we find Ten stuck in an asylum where families can send their children as punishment. While the goal of escape is clear here, the story’s purpose becomes more muddled as the novel progresses. Showalter also misses the opportunity to really develop her world; readers barely get any history of the realms. Furthermore, important plot points seem to be brought up and never elaborated on, and some events seem unrealistic even for a fantasy novel.

As a character, I found Tenley to have a definite personality. She did, however, have a somewhat-annoying obsession with numbers; for example, she uses the word “zero” instead of swearing. For a love interest, we get the cliche “dark and brooding” Killian. His enemy Archer, who might also be in love with Ten, seems kinder and a bit more realistic. And throughout the story, these characters often suffer from awkward dialogue. Still, the plot remains the biggest issue with the novel.

Firstlife does have potential, and maybe some of its problems are resolved in the rest of the series. But personally, I would recommend searching for something else.

-Zoe J

Maurene Goo incorporates humor, love, and sadness into her books and does it in a way that makes you fall in love with her characters and story. She does this again with Clara in The Way You Make Me Feel. I was even more excited when I found out the book revolved around a food truck, because that seemed like such a cool concept. And, it was.

Clara, who has never been interested in working on her father's food truck (the KoBra), is subject to working on it for the whole summer when she gets into some trouble at school. To make matters worse, she has to work with someone she can't stand, and her original summer plans are changed. But, as the summer goes on Clara's feelings towards the truck and her co-worker begin to change, and she even develops a crush towards a boy she met at one of the KoBra's stops.

Just like Maurene's last book, I found myself having so much fun reading it (I laughed out loud countless times). But, I like that the book is realistic and has some tougher moments, too. I also like how Clara changes and starts to realize things about herself and her family that she didn't really know before. This is definitely a great summer read.

- Claire L

We're so excited to welcome Montana author Christine Carbo to the store to share her newest mystery thriller- A Sharp Solitude. We love a good Montana mystery and Wendy, our Mystery Maven says: "My favorite part of Christine Carbo’s mysteries are that they are set in Glacier National Park, with all its beauty and wildness! While not a 'series,' they have interlocking characters, so a minor character in one book may become the main character in the next book. I like that because it means readers don’t have to read the books exactly in order, but they all go together." In anticipation of Christine's new book, Wendy had a few questions for Christine.

W: You seem to know a lot about many places in Glacier National Park-how much time do you get to
spend there?

Christine: Since I became published about four years ago, my life has gotten extremely busy and has included much
more air travel, which means I have less time for hiking and getting into Glacier in general. I still try to go
several times a year though, and I try to go once or twice during each off-season. I love the park in the fall, but
summer is my favorite, even with how insanely busy it gets.
 

W:  Is it harder to write from a male character’s perspective, and how do you do research for that?
 

C: In my latest book, I have two main characters: one female, one male. The female plays a bigger role in the
story, but I don’t find it too difficult to write from the male perspective. I grew up with two older brothers, so I
tagged along quite a bit, and that allowed me to see the world through a male’s viewpoint some of the time. I
think that ended up helping me quite a bit. However, mostly, what I try to do is write about a human with a
particular set of problems and then go about how that particular human being (male or female) would go about
solving those problems. Sometimes a male will go about things differently than a female precisely because of
their gender, but I find that emotions are emotions, and we all have them. There are, of course, nuances in how
those emotions get expressed or dealt with, and I try to be true to how I think a character would operate given
their circumstances. In general though, I try not to get too hung up on gender.

W: What is your process for starting a new book, and how long does it take to write a book?
 

C: Oh gosh, I’m not sure I have a good grasp on that process. It seems to change with each book, and is usually a
messy, disorganized process. Often, some nugget of an idea from something I’ve heard, read or thought about
in my past will stay with me or keep coming back to me, which makes me realize I have an idea that interests
me enough to dive deeper into it and develop it into a story. Then, when I finally come up with some form of a
suspenseful situation or premise (not necessarily a plot yet), I’ll begin to mull it over and take random notes. At
some point, I know I just need to start writing, even if I don’t have it all figured out. I often write without an
outline, and poke my way forward in the dark. Eventually I get there, but sometimes I wish I was more
organized from the get-go. Creativity can be a messy process for some writers, and I happen to be one of
those whether I want to be or not.
 

W:. Do you know the whole story ahead of time or does it develop as you write?
 

C: Oops, I think I just answered this above. I definitely don’t have the whole story figured out ahead of time, not
even close. Sometimes I know the perpetrator and work toward that ending, but with two of my books, I didn’t,
so I wrote several options into the story to give myself choices as I got closer to the end. Like I said, it can be a
little messy, but for me, that’s the beauty and magic of the process. Somehow, the muse seems to kick in and it
all begins to come together as if I really had a master plan all along. It can be very frustrating, but when it all
begins to come together, it’s immensely satisfying.

Christine Carbo will be sharing her newest book A Sharp Solitude at the store on Wednesday July 18th at 6pm. Be sure to stop by for this and more!

When Penny returns to her small Michigan hometown, she expects to spend the summer focusing on her journalistic aspirations. Instead, she finds herself trying to rescue her missing father from what might just be aliens. With The Truth Lies Here author Lindsey Klingele creates a sci-fi story that is at times humorous and surprisingly touching. Throughout the story, Penny is forced to re-evaluate her black-and-white defination of the truth as she finds the simplest explanation to not always be the correct one. Similarly, she quickly begins to examine her complicated relationship with her father when she learns that there's more to him than the conspiracy-theorist she’d always known. Fans of The X-Files will enjoy Penny’s interactions with an old friend, where she plays Scully to his Mulder. And even while inexplicable events occur, Klingele is able to depict an accurate and relatable image of teenage life, from Penny’s tense relationship with an ex-best friend to her growing feelings toward the town's star quarterback. Klingele’s work demonstrates the dangers of summarizing events and people with a simple viewpoint without examining their complexities. She also provides comforts to those who may feel as if they don’t belong, as Penny has similar doubts while reacquainting herself with her hometown. But the story doesn’t get too caught up in these ideas; the plot remains fast-paced and the characters are interesting and realistic. Overall, The Truth Lies Here makes a great read for anyone looking for a little extraterrestrial action in their summer.

- Zoe J

Emi is an aspiring production designer, who was just gifted her brother's apartment for the summer. His only condition? She do something amazing with it. She’s not sure what that will be at first, but she has the whole summer to figure that out. Meanwhile, her internship at a production agency, sends her to an estate sale of a famous actor. A letter tucked into one of the findings at the sale leads Emi and her friend on a mystery.

Nina LaCour’s beautiful writing has a poetic feel to it. In addition, her details in describing Emi’s rooms allowed me to easily visualize them. What especially stood out to me with this story is the three plots: Emi’s growth as a production designer, the mystery behind the letter, and a romance. I liked the balance of the three elements, and how they worked together to keep developing the story. There were so many moments in this book that had me falling in love with the characters.

-Claire L

We have partnered with Avon Romance to bring you a curated selection of romance novels from New York Times and USA Today best selling author Jennifer Ryan. A few times a year Ryan will provide us with her recommendations for romance novels you're sure to love.

Something Old
Whitney, My Love by Judith McNaught

Though I write suspenseful contemporary romances, I love to read historical romance. They take you to another time and place and prove that love is timeless.

Judith McNaught started my love of historical romance. She’s one of the few authors I reread.

With a feisty heroine who refuses to settle for anything less than true love, WHITNEY, MY LOVE proves no matter the time or place love is worth fighting for.

Something New
All Chained Up by Sophie Jordan

If you’re an avid romance reader, or always want more when you finish a great book, there’s nothing better than diving into a series.

So if you’re looking to start a new series, and love something unexpected, Sophie Jordan delivers that and so much more in her Devil’s Rock series. ALL CHAINED UP is gritty, sexy, and intense.

Everyone, including an ex-con, deserves a second chance, especially when he’s willing to put his life on the line for a volunteer nurse at the prison. Approved for paroled and fighting what he wants, Knox will discover when it comes to Briar, love will not be denied. 

Something Borrowed
Second Chance Cowboy by AJ Pine

I’m always looking for a great book recommendation from other authors, friends, and fans, and when I get one, I can’t wait to share it with other readers.

My very best friend and fellow author Lia Riley is the amazing author of the Brightwater, Everland, Georgia, and Hellions Angels series. Her emotional stories are sexy and filled with humor and heart. I find myself laughing out loud at her brand of snark and the crazy things her characters do.

Lia’s most recent romance obsession is SECOND CHANCE COWBOY (Crossroads #1) by A.J Pine.

"I'm a sucker for all things cowboy. Second Chance Cowboy is a well-written, emotional read with intense chemistry. There's family turmoil, broken hearts, a secret baby, redemption and all the feels. One to sigh and swoon over."

Something Blue
Million Dollar Cowboy by Lori Wilde

I love everything about this cover. What’s not to like about a hot cowboy in the Texas desert. Those abs! That dark, intense look. It makes me want to dive right in…to Lori Wilde’s MILLION DOLLAR COWBOY – A Cupid Texas Novel

Getting everything you want doesn’t mean you have everything you need to be happy. This Cupid cowboy will discover love is a priceless gift.

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author - 2018 Romance Writers of America RITA® Romantic Suspense Finalist - Jennifer Ryan writes suspenseful contemporary romances about everyday people who do extraordinary things. Her deeply emotional love stories are filled with high stakes and higher drama, family, friendship, and the happily-ever-after we all hope to find.

Jennifer lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband and three children. When she isn’t writing a book, she’s reading one. Her obsession with both is often revealed in the state of her home, and how late dinner is to the table. When she finally leaves those fictional worlds, you’ll find her in the garden, playing in the dirt and daydreaming about people who live only in her head, until she puts them on paper.

THE GREAT AMERICAN READ is an eight-part series that explores and celebrates the power of reading, told through the prism of America’s 100 best-loved novels (as chosen in a national survey).  It investigates how and why writers create their fictional worlds, how we as readers are affected by these stories, and what these 100 different books have to say about our diverse nation and our shared human experience.  

The television series features entertaining and informative documentary segments, with compelling testimonials from celebrities, authors, notable Americans and book lovers across the country. It is comprised of a two-hour launch episode in which the list of 100 books is revealed, five one-hour theme episodes that examine concepts common to groups of books on the list, and a finale, in which the results are announced of a nationwide vote to choose America’s best-loved book.  

The series is the centerpiece of an ambitious multi-platform digital, educational and community outreach campaign, designed to get the country reading and passionately talking about books.

Check out the list of 100 books below: